ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2420 studies

1721–1740 of 2,420 studies

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Acetylcholine mediated vasodilatation in the microcirculation of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Spence, V A, Khan, F, Kennedy, G et al.·Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids·2004

This study looked at how blood vessels in ME/CFS patients respond to acetylcholine, a chemical messenger in the body. Normally, blood vessels become less responsive to acetylcholine in disease, but researchers found the opposite in ME/CFS patients—their blood vessels were unusually sensitive to it. This unusual sensitivity might help explain why many ME/CFS patients experience problems with blood flow and circulation.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Neural correlates of the chronic fatigue syndrome--an fMRI study.

de Lange, Floris P, Kalkman, Joke S, Bleijenberg, Gijs et al.·Brain : a journal of neurology·2004

This study used brain imaging to compare how people with ME/CFS and healthy people perform simple mental tasks involving imagining movements. People with ME/CFS were slower at these tasks, but their brains showed some differences in how they used certain regions, particularly areas involved in vision and error detection. The findings suggest that ME/CFS may involve problems with how the brain plans movements and processes mistakes.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

The use of eicosapentaenoic acid in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Puri, B K·Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids·2004

This study looked at whether a supplement containing high amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil, could help people with ME/CFS. A small group of patients took this supplement and most reported feeling better within 8-12 weeks. The researchers suggest that EPA might be a helpful treatment option for some people with this condition.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Fibromyalgia: a stress disorder? Piecing the biopsychosocial puzzle together.

Van Houdenhove, Boudewijn, Egle, Ulrich T·Psychotherapy and psychosomatics·2004

This review article explores whether stress might be a root cause of fibromyalgia, a condition with widespread pain and fatigue that overlaps significantly with chronic fatigue syndrome. The authors examine how the body's stress response system works and how stress-related changes might lead to abnormal pain sensitivity and other fibromyalgia symptoms. They propose that fibromyalgia could be understood as a stress-related disorder involving both physical and psychological factors.

Sleep

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

[Polyneuritis cranialis HHV-6 infection associated].

Brustia, Diego, Uglietti, Alessia, Garavelli, Pietro Luigi·Recenti progressi in medicina·2004

This case study describes one patient with a rare condition called polyneuritis cranialis (weakness affecting multiple nerves in the head and face) that was linked to a human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) infection. The patient was treated with an antiviral medication called ganciclovir, and her symptoms improved only after the virus was completely cleared from her body.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Unloading the trunk: neurasthenia, CFS and race.

Luthra, A, Wessely, S·Social science & medicine (1982)·2004

This study examines how ME/CFS and its historical predecessor neurasthenia have been discussed in terms of race and ethnicity over the past century. The authors found that there is a pattern of thinking that associates fatigue illnesses with technological 'development' in white countries, and they explore why far fewer non-white patients appear in specialist ME/CFS clinics compared to what you might expect from the general population.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Patient power and control: a study of women with uncertain illness trajectories.

Asbring, Pia, Närvänen, Anna-Liisa·Qualitative health research·2004

This study interviewed 25 women with ME/CFS or fibromyalgia to understand how they try to take control of their health and interact with doctors. The women described learning about their illness, talking with caregivers, and using different strategies like being firm about their needs or sometimes stepping back from medical care to manage their conditions better.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

[Fatigue in neuromuscular disease].

Van Engelen, B G M, Kalkman, J S, Schillings, M L et al.·Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde·2004

Fatigue is a common symptom in many diseases, including neuromuscular disorders like post-polio syndrome and myasthenia gravis. This review found that about 64% of neuromuscular patients experience severe fatigue—a rate similar to multiple sclerosis patients. The authors suggest that using reliable measurement tools and combining different medical specialties could help researchers understand why fatigue happens and develop better treatments.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Fibromyalgia syndrome in women.

Shaver, Joan L·The Nursing clinics of North America·2004

This article reviews fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), a condition causing chronic pain and fatigue that affects far more women than men. The authors describe common symptoms and discuss research into what might cause FMS and related conditions like ME/CFS, IBS, and TMD, as well as current treatment options.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Is chronic fatigue syndrome an autoimmune disorder of endogenous neuropeptides, exogenous infection and molecular mimicry?

Staines, Donald R·Medical hypotheses·2004

This paper proposes that ME/CFS may develop when the immune system mistakenly attacks natural signaling chemicals in the body called vasoactive neuropeptides, which are crucial for nerve function, blood flow, temperature regulation, and immune balance. The author suggests this autoimmune attack could be triggered by infection, intense exercise, or occur on its own, and explains how damage to these chemicals could cause the main symptoms of ME/CFS including fatigue, muscle pain, brain fog, and chemical sensitivity.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Physiology and pathophysiology of the 5-HT3 receptor.

Färber, L, Haus, U, Späth, M et al.·Scandinavian journal of rheumatology. Supplement·2004

This review examines how a specific brain chemical receptor called 5-HT3 works in the body and what happens when it malfunctions. The researchers found that blocking this receptor with certain medications may help treat several conditions, including ME/CFS, by reducing symptoms like nausea, pain, and anxiety. However, scientists still don't fully understand exactly how this receptor causes problems in these different illnesses.

Pain and SensitizationAutonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Chronic fatigue syndrome in a cognitive perspective. A therapeutic model].

d'Elia, Giacomo·Lakartidningen·2004

This paper describes how cognitive therapy—a type of talk therapy focused on thoughts and beliefs—can help people with ME/CFS. The approach recognizes that unhelpful thoughts about the illness (like believing symptoms mean serious physical harm) can interact with real physical problems and low mood, creating a cycle that keeps people tired and inactive. A therapist works with the patient to gently challenge these beliefs and plan small increases in activity to show that feared outcomes don't happen.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Chronic fatigue syndrome].

Kapfhammer, H P, Rothenhäusler, H B·MMW Fortschritte der Medizin·2004

ME/CFS involves fatigue and exhaustion that can look different from person to person. These symptoms can happen after infections like viruses or alongside mood and anxiety problems. The authors suggest that cognitive-behavioral therapy (a type of talk therapy focused on thoughts and behaviors) combined with antidepressant medication may help some patients.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Decreased fractal correlation in diurnal physical activity in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Ohashi, K, Bleijenberg, G, van der Werf, S et al.·Methods of information in medicine·2004

This study looked at how physical activity patterns differ between people with ME/CFS and healthy people throughout the day. Researchers used special mathematical tools to analyze activity data and found that people with ME/CFS have more sudden, abrupt stops in their activities during the day—possibly because fatigue forces them to rest unexpectedly. This pattern was not seen in healthy control subjects.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Mechanisms underlying fatigue: a voxel-based morphometric study of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Okada, Tomohisa, Tanaka, Masaaki, Kuratsune, Hirohiko et al.·BMC neurology·2004

This study used brain imaging to compare the brains of people with ME/CFS to healthy individuals. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had smaller gray matter (the thinking part of the brain) in specific areas of the prefrontal cortex, which is the region responsible for decision-making and regulating sensations. Importantly, the amount of shrinkage in one area of the prefrontal cortex matched how severe each person's fatigue was, suggesting this brain region may play a key role in how our bodies experience and manage fatigue.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Fatigue in neurological disorders.

Chaudhuri, Abhijit, Behan, Peter O·Lancet (London, England)·2004

This review examines fatigue in various neurological diseases, including ME/CFS. The authors explain that fatigue can result from problems in muscle function (where muscles can't sustain effort) or problems in the brain and nervous system (where the brain perceives activities as requiring excessive effort). They suggest that imbalances in stress hormones and disrupted communication between key brain regions may underlie persistent fatigue.

Endocrine Disruption

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Fainting freshmen and sinking sophomores: cardiovascular issues of the adolescent.

DiVasta, Amy Desrochers, Alexander, Mark E·Current opinion in pediatrics·2004

This review article explains that fainting is common in teenagers, but most cases are not caused by serious heart problems. Doctors can identify the few teenagers with real heart disease using a detailed patient history, physical examination, and an electrocardiogram (ECG). The article emphasizes that teenagers with certain conditions—including chronic fatigue syndrome, eating disorders, and exercise-related fainting—need extra careful evaluation because their heart problems may be more serious or harder to manage.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Case reports and review of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

Carothers, Becky, Schmidt, Lori, Puri, Vinay·The Journal of the Kentucky Medical Association·2003

POTS is a condition where your heart rate increases too much when you stand up, and less blood flows to your brain, causing dizziness and fainting. This paper describes two patients with POTS who needed different levels of treatment—one managed at home and one needing hospital care. The authors point out that POTS is probably more common than doctors realize and is sometimes mistaken for chronic fatigue syndrome or other conditions.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Deficit in motor performance correlates with changed corticospinal excitability in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Davey, N J, Puri, B K, Catley, M et al.·International journal of clinical practice·2003

This study looked at whether the slowness people with ME/CFS experience in reacting and moving is connected to changes in how their brain controls muscles. Researchers tested 10 ME/CFS patients twice over up to two years, measuring reaction times, movement speed, and brain signals using magnetic stimulation. They found that when patients' symptoms changed, their brain's ability to control movements changed in a similar way, suggesting the slowness has a real physical basis in the brain rather than being purely psychological.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Lessons from macrophagic myofasciitis: towards definition of a vaccine adjuvant-related syndrome].

Gherardi, R K·Revue neurologique·2003

This review examines macrophagic myofasciitis, a condition where aluminum from vaccine adjuvants persists in muscle tissue and may trigger long-lasting immune activation. About half of patients develop fatigue and muscle pain that meet ME/CFS criteria, and some develop autoimmune diseases. The authors suggest that persistent immune stimulation from the aluminum depot could explain both this vaccine-related condition and possibly other forms of ME/CFS.

Immune System

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Acetylcholine mediated vasodilatation in the microcirculation of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Neural correlates of the chronic fatigue syndrome--an fMRI study.

The use of eicosapentaenoic acid in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Fibromyalgia: a stress disorder? Piecing the biopsychosocial puzzle together.

[Polyneuritis cranialis HHV-6 infection associated].

Unloading the trunk: neurasthenia, CFS and race.

Patient power and control: a study of women with uncertain illness trajectories.

[Fatigue in neuromuscular disease].

Fibromyalgia syndrome in women.

Is chronic fatigue syndrome an autoimmune disorder of endogenous neuropeptides, exogenous infection and molecular mimicry?

Physiology and pathophysiology of the 5-HT3 receptor.

[Chronic fatigue syndrome in a cognitive perspective. A therapeutic model].

[Chronic fatigue syndrome].

Decreased fractal correlation in diurnal physical activity in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Mechanisms underlying fatigue: a voxel-based morphometric study of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Fatigue in neurological disorders.

Fainting freshmen and sinking sophomores: cardiovascular issues of the adolescent.

Case reports and review of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

Deficit in motor performance correlates with changed corticospinal excitability in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Lessons from macrophagic myofasciitis: towards definition of a vaccine adjuvant-related syndrome].

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